Colleagues on this ever-dwindling listserve, While this is a tribute to Joe, (I can see him in my minds eye) my experience goes back to Audrey. In the fall of ’68 as an intern, I taught a week-night 8 (?) session RSI with Audrey in Naperville. For 8 weeks, each Tuesday, I drove from the West Side to Naperville. She was a woman of formidable integrity. It was a felicitous experience teaching with her as 1st teacher. A woman with grace - ever saintly. Gratefully, Ken
On Sep 14, 2021, at 7:07 PM, Margaret Helen Aiseayew via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
I too enjoyed the relaxation of badminton and volleyball at the Ayers house. I traveled for several months with Audrey on Town Meeting Iowa and every great story brings laughter to my heart and mind. Perhaps all of our guardians were angels we were not yet ready to recognize in their fullness. We have been so blessed. Margaret
On 2021-09-13 14:15, Lynda C via OE wrote:
Joe Ayres, a true Archive Angel, has completed his life at 98 years old. Many of you mostly knew his wife Audrey, but those of us in the Chicago metro knew Joe and Audrey very well. Their home in Naperville with its wide open spaces was the source of many Religious House picnics and celebrations where we all enjoyed their generous hospitality and a chance to experience green grass and shade trees and badmitton and other yard games, plus winter snowmen and such. During the time of overseas deployments, the Ayres attic became a regular storage place for treasured items. Bless them for that loving gesture of care.
Audrey was a dedicated fixture in the Town Meeting days on the West Side, an expert in writing grants for the 5th City Preschool, attended many overseas conferences and some HDP projects, and in her later years, one of the tenacious members of the Archives team, driving into Chicago each day from Naperville, well into her senior years. Even after her death, Joe continued to help finance the work of the archives in her memory. What a team! When we moved to Galax, they included Galax as a stop over heading back to Naperville after a trip to their St. Louis relatives. They even helped with a sidewalk sale from our Men's Shop during the annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Their pre-teen granddaughter accompanied them. On several trips to Chicago to work in the Archives, I was privileged to visit Joe and family in Naperville.
In the spirit of a wake, I hope many of you will share memories online as well as copied to Peter whose address is below to share with the family. We celebrate Joe's life and indeed this family as mission from God to history, singing "For all the saints, who from their labors rest...."
With deep care,
Lynda Cock
From: Peter Ayres <peter_yrs@yahoo.com <mailto:peter_yrs@yahoo.com>> Date: Monday, September 13, 2021 at 11:25 AM To: Lynda Cock <lynda860@outlook.com <mailto:lynda860@outlook.com>> Subject: JOE AYRES
I saw an older email from when Mom passed away and realized I can maybe inform you that dad passed away Sept. 1st. 2021. He made it to 98 on August 9th. All and all, he did very well and died at home with family around. There one day, gone the next after a pizza party for our brother Mike, with him. 1 day of hospice. If you know others who might want to know, please feel free to pass the news along. No service for the moment is planned. Not sure who at ICA might want this information. I hope there is an attachment here with his Obituary for you.
Sorry for the news, Peter Ayres 630 505 9695
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